INTRODUCTION
Hello and welcome to number 6 of our BEMA Bulletin. There’s plenty in here to interest everyone in the equestrian reporting world, from carriage driving to three day eventing. Enjoy the read, and send me any comments you have.
CARRIAGE DRIVING AT SANDRINGHAM
Thanks to Sarah Dance for her offer to host BEMA members at the recent championships at Sandringham. I went on Saturday 28th June, and it was a fascinating day immersed in a sport I’d not known that much about beforehand. Rings were busy, and the sight of 10 four-in-hand coaches from all over the country parading round the main ring prior to a drive through the Norfolk countryside will stay with me for a while. I even saw a new sport to me – horse boarding, where a horse tows another competitor at high speed on board what looks like a skateboard. Thrilling! Carriage driving is trying to get more people interested in it, so perhaps there’s an event or a competitor in your area worth a look at. Sarah can be contacted at info@carriagecommentator.com if you’d like more info.
Photo by www.wrightstride.com
FAREWELL ANDREW BALDOCK
One of our sterling committee people, a past BEMA Chair and all round good egg, Andrew Baldock recently left full-time employment at the Press Association (PA). I asked if he’d write down some end-of-term thoughts:
To have spent almost half my life working for The Press Association was something I never seriously expected, but it proved to be quite the journey. Bowing out after 28+ years as rugby correspondent, the last 16 of those also looking after equestrian sport, filled me with a cocktail of emotions. Sadness that it was over, satisfaction at knowing I always tried to do the job to the best of my ability, and smiles aplenty when I look back on so many cherished memories. Three years before London 2012, I volunteered to cover equestrian sports for PA, and I can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I ever made. In many ways I had no idea what to expect, but I could not have wished for a warmer welcome, whether from fellow journalists, governing bodies, riders or support teams.
Legends - that word is banned on PA, but I can use it now! Members of the equestrian media like the great Alan Smith, Kate Green, Jenny Macarthur, Pippa Cuckson, Rupert Bell and Kit Houghton became the most valued of colleagues, and friendships were quickly formed. The London Olympics and Paralympics of 2012 were obvious highlights. There were medals galore during that golden summer in Greenwich, and stories that could have filled an encyclopaedia, such were the towering achievements and countless emotion-filled moments. The Rio Games four years later were an altogether stranger experience - a stray bullet through the media centre roof, a maybe not-so-stray bullet that hit a media bus travelling from Deodoro - but Nick Skelton and the incomparable Big Star gave us a tale for the ages. Tokyo in 2001 provided plenty to write about, even if the Covid-enforced ‘no entry’ signs for spectators denied gold medallists Ben Maher, Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Oliver Townend the proper stage they so richly deserved.
I feel fortunate that I was able to witness the genial Michael Jung in his pomp, Ingrid Klimke qualifying repeatedly for the title of ‘nicest person to interview’, Sir Mark Todd's stunning Badminton 2011 triumph, William Fox-Pitt's emotional win with Chilli Morning at the same venue four years later, Scott Brash's Rolex Grand Slam, Charlotte Dujardin rewriting a sport's record books, etc, etc. Through it all I have tried to keep this wonderful sport on the radar of national and regional media through PA's channels. It has never been easy, but no-one said it would be. I will never stop trying, and to that end I will now be out and about on the freelance beat banging that drum. In the meantime, to BEMA members too numerous to mention who helped, encouraged and supported me during my time at PA I am eternally grateful.
Best wishes
Andrew
HICKSTEAD NEWS
Victoria Goff, Hickstead Press Officer, writes: The Agria Royal International Horse Show takes place from the 22-27th July, and it promises to be an exciting event. Great Britain will be hoping for a hat-trick of victories in the Agria Nations Cup of Great Britain, having won in 2023 and 2024. Media accreditation applications close on Friday 18th July, so visit here if you would like to attend: https://www.hickstead.co.uk/press-media/press-accreditation/
Members of the media who attended last month’s Al Shira’aa Hickstead Derby meeting will have noticed our Press Office has had a major makeover for this season. The building is now used as a recording studio and offices for local radio station More Radio all year round, except for the two weeks of our international shows when they vacate their offices and hand the reins back to the Hickstead team. As a result the Press Office now boasts modern décor, with upgraded facilities throughout, including aircon, which was very much appreciated at the Derby Meeting!
ANNUAL SUBS REMINDER - AGAIN
It’s been drawn to our Chair Rupert’s attention that there is still 1/3rd of our membership who have not paid their membership fee of £25 for 2025, despite numerous reminders from Lynne our Treasurer. This is an unacceptable and disappointing situation, he says. Please could those members make payment for £25 immediately to the BEMA account – HSBC, sort code 40-38-18, account number 71298291. Thank you. If you no longer wish to be a member, please contact either Hilary Manners on hilary@mannersmedia.co.uk or Lynne Reid at lynnereed88@gmail.com as a matter of urgency in order, that their records may be updated.
EQUESTRIAN EXCELLENCE AT BOLESWORTH
Well done Bolesworth International, presented by Al Shira'aa, for putting on an interesting and well-attended Equestrian Excellence hospitality session on the afternoon of Monday 30th June. Well hosted by Richard Davison, the main part was a discussion centred around ‘What it takes to win in our world’ with panellists Robert LeMieux (MD of LeMieux), Enda Carroll (Manager of Ashford Farm Stables) and Fields Wicker-Miurin, the newly appointed Chair of British Equestrian. Over an hour they tackled many current issues, from role models and taking risks to the state of equestrian sport in this country. A shame there were not more BEMA members there, as the networking opportunities were incredible.
A CLEAR ROUND WITH…
In every BEMA Bulletin we feature a member, and find out a little more about them. This time we catch up with the experienced and much-travelled equestrian reporter Aly Vance.
1. What 3 words describe you? IN. A. HURRY.
2. First horsey memory? Being desperate to do leading rein classes like my big brother. You had to be 3 to show, and it felt like a long wait until my birthday before finally I could wear all the ribbons and go in the ring.
3. How did you start working in equestrian sport? Rupert Bell and Sam Lloyd kindly took me on fresh out of journalism school to report for Badminton Radio. It was the start of several happy years working at Badminton, Burghley & Gatcombe for Lloyd Bell. They even sent me to the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010.
4. Favourite memory from our sport? Mark Todd winning Badminton in 2011 at the age of 55, having retired from the sport. It was 31 years after he won his first Badminton title. A remarkable horseman! I will also never forget the dramatic jump-off in Tokyo where Ben Maher won gold on Explosion. It was surreal, as it took place in front of massive empty stands. You could literally hear a pin drop, but the quality of riding and the talent of those six horses in that jump-off was remarkable. The risks Ben took to secure gold with all that pressure was some achievement.
5. Name someone you admire in the equestrian world. Has to be John Whitaker. Milton was the first showjumper I can remember, so to think John is still at the top of the sport is incredible. He’s so in tune with the horses he rides at 69.
6. What’s your current equestrian working life? Since Covid I have been freelance, and the bulk of my work is in horse racing. I work a lot in the Middle East over the winter presenting the international broadcast for racing in Bahrain and Qatar. Closer to home it’s the likes of Cheltenham Racecourse, Tattersalls & Ascot. I was part of the ITV Champions: Full Gallop Show. It’s not as often as I like, but I jump at the chance of covering top equestrian sport.
7. What one change in the sport would you like to see? A more televisual product. This probably applies mostly to jumping which is the most televised discipline. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a Grand Prix format that would climax with an ‘all guns blazing’ one hour show? Equestrian world feeds are invariably 2-3 hours long, as they often encompass the entire class, including a 20 minute course change in the middle. From a TV point of view this seems bonkers. Racing also has this problem when there are 7 races on a card. However the team that distributes racing globally has developed a ‘golden hour’ for broadcasters for the top 20 race days, known as the Crown Jewels Racing package. The golden hour is the best race on the card with high-end production around it. Broadcasters then have the choice of either the full 3-4 hour show that covers all racing, or the condensed 1-hour golden hour show. Perhaps equestrian can look doing the same. We need to sell our sport and show just how exciting it is, while making it easier for broadcasters to schedule and promote.
8. Describe life away from collecting rings, media centres and PR releases. Keeping up with two small children (4 and 6), collecting ponies and trying to muster some enthusiasm from the kids about riding! Also running, watching sport and drinking wine - in any order!
9. Tell us a little-known fact about yourself. I appeared on a children’s game show when I was about 12 in a team with 3 other girls. It involved a lot of slime and inflatables, but we won, and each of us got a very obscene-looking lime green bike!
10. Who’d play you in a Hollywood movie? Geez… we can all dream a little…Penelope Cruz?!
BLENHEIM REMINDER
A reminder that the European 3DE Championships are on from 18-21st September. Coate PR say “the Media Centre will be open from Tuesday 16th September, and there is an accreditation page here https://www.bpiht.co.uk/media-centre-accreditation.
AGRIA
Finally well done to equine insurer Agria. Last month they and the BEF announced a major new partnership to make Agria principal partner of the British Equestrian World Class Programme (WCP). The partnership provides the WCP with vital support to continue accessing the best technology, training and other expertise as they work towards the European Championships this year, and to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in LA in 2028. Agria and British Equestrian will work together to inspire and develop the next generation through exemplary horsemanship, leading in equine advocacy and delivering performances to be proud of. Running through to 2028, the milestone agreement is the first sponsorship of this type for British Equestrian in the modern era of the sport, and their show of confidence in equestrian sport is welcomed.